Majority Leader Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, D-Boulder, in her new leather chair in the House chamber.

Gov. John Hickenlooper issued an election-eve budget plan that supported taxpayer refunds next year, but his Democratic colleagues in the legislature are openly considering a move to spend the money.

The talk comes as the Joint Budget Committee continues preliminary meetings to craft the state budget and raises the specter of an intraparty showdown on one of the top legislative issues in the upcoming 2015 session.

Under the state’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, Colorado must return any tax collections in excess of its constitutional revenue cap, which is set by the rate of inflation plus population growth. Right now, the state forecasts a potential $130 million refund.

In a recent interview, noted in a story looking at Hickenlooper’s second term, incoming House Speaker Dickey Lee Hullinghorst made the most direct suggestion that Democrats may support a ballot measure in 2015 to ask voters to keep the money for state spending instead of issuing a refund

“If we don’t do anything as a state, we are going to be spending almost as much money as we refund, refunding money to people, which doesn’t seem to make a lot of common sense to me,” the Boulder Democrat said. “The people would be far better off if we invested that in infrastructure, education — something that really benefited them rather than (them) getting their 50 bucks to spend on a tank of gas or something.”

In the Colorado governor’s race, only two Republicans — former Congressman Bob Beauprez and Secretary of State Scott Gessler — didn’t hesitate when asked what seemed like an easy-enough question for the GOP field: Name a Democrat serving in the legislature who you admire and why.

Former Congressman Tom Tancredo couldn’t come up with anyone and former Sen. Mike Kopp struggled, which was a surprise considering he only left the state Senate in 2011. He eventually chose Sen. Lois Tochtrop of Westminster.

They were asked the question during individual taped interviews at The Denver Post last week in preparation for stories on the four Republican contenders that will appear this week in The Post. The winner of the June 24 primary faces Democrat John Hickenlooper, who is running for a second term.

A bipartisan proposal to make repeat DUI offenses a felony in Colorado was quashed by Democrats in a Senate committee on Tuesday — a move that angered some lawmakers and victims rights advocates.

Under the proposal, sponsored by Sens. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, and Mike Johnston, D-Denver, it would be a class 4 felony if a person got a third DUI in a five-year period or a fourth within 15 years of the first violation.

The measure had no fiscal impact this year, but in 2015 — when it was to take effect — the fiscal note was projected at about $1.6 million. In past years, opponents of the measure claimed the price tag was too high. A boost in state revenue this year made its supporters much more optimistic it would pass.

“For two fundamental reasons, I cast a ‘no’ vote. First, I think more emphasis needs to be put on addressing the disease of alcoholism and not us locking people up. Second, the bill was changed to take effect next year. Because of that, I think next year’s appropriations committee should address it,” said Sen. Mary Hodge, D-Brighton, chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations committee.

Her comments were also echoed by Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, who voted in opposition to the bill.

King and Johnston on Tuesday expressed that this is an important public safety issue.

“I can’t see any reason for us to not stand up for basic public safety here,” said Johnston. “Right now, we keep a law on the books that says if you have eight or nine DUIs you can still walk after a short stint in jail. I’m not sure most Coloradans think this is a reasonable solution for a continuous problem.”

Colorado is one of just four states that does not impose felony penalties for drunken driving.

Secretary of state candidate Joe Neguse can count on cheers when he tells Democrats, “I’m the guy running to clean up Scott Gessler’s mess.”

Those are the first words in a campaign video that will be played at the Colorado Democratic Party assembly in Denver Saturday where he will be officially nominated for the job. Neguse is expected to face Republican Wayne Williams, the El Paso County clerk and recorder, in November. Williams will be nominated at the Colorado Republican Party assembly in Boulder on Saturday.

The video looks at Neguse’s life — he’s the son of African immigrants who moved to this country in the early 1980s. Neguse also praised by Pueblo Clerk Bo Ortiz and state Sen. Pat Steadman. The word ‘integrity is used at least three times.

Hosted by the Colorado Nonprofit Association, the luncheon recognizes the achievements and contributions of the nonprofit community and the award nominees. State Treasurer Walker Stapleton praised Colorado’s nonprofits, noting the role they played in last year’s flood-and-fire recovery efforts.

Gov. John Hicklenlooper presented the Nonprofit Impact Award to Metropolitan State University President Stephen Jordan. Since he took over, the institution has gained university status and offered master’s degree programs. Jordan championed legislation signed into law into 2103 that allows undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition at all state institutions. Jordan tonight received the Sol Trujillo National Lifetime Leadership Award from the Latin American Education Foundation.

Gessler blasted Democrats in a news release sent from his office. The release claims that during a discussion on whether Gessler should come talk to the committee in person, Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, uninvited the secretary, and then uttered some swine snark:

Democratic state Sen. Pat Steadman of Denver and marijuana activist and attorney Rob Corry, join the Spot live to discuss Prop AA. The measure, which voters statewide will cast ballots on this Tuesday, would ask voters to approve a 15 percent excise tax and an initial 10 percent sales tax.

UPDATE: 2:18 p.m., Oct. 31, 2013 | Around the 13-minute mark of this video, marijuana attorney Rob Corry says that the U.S. Attorney John Walsh did not support Proposition AA. In a statement provided to The Denver Post after the show, Walsh denied doing so.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office does not take a position on state initiatives,” Walsh said. “However, the Department of Justice has made it clear in recent guidance on marijuana enforcement that there is an overriding importance of a strong and effective state regulatory system with sufficient resources to be effective in practice, not just on paper.”

“Much has been made of the cost of this election, and there is a great deal of misinformation floating around,” Head wrote. “We wish to remind Pueblo voters that Pueblo County will be reimbursed for this election at the state level.”

Reached today, Head referred to a July 31 Chieftain article that noted Ortiz had asked the state to reimburse the county for the costs. But apparently Head missed the headline, which read: “State won’t reimburse Pueblo for recall election expenses.”

Speaker Mark Ferrandino entered into a civil union today with his longtime partner, Greg Wertsch.The private ceremony was held on the west balcony of the state capitol. State Supreme Court Justice Monica Márquez officiated. (Photo provided by the Colorado General Assembly House Democrats)

Speaker Mark Ferrandino today took advantage of the civil unions bill he helped pass, entering into a civil union with his longtime partner, Greg Wertsch.

The news release from House Democrats says “with a request to the press not to blow up his cellphone, Speaker Ferrandino issued this brief statement:”

“Greg and I have tried to keep this low-key because we are just one of the thousands of Colorado couples whose commitment to each other can now officially be recognized by the state. I am very proud that I was able to help make this new law a reality. But today, any sense of legislative accomplishment takes a back seat to a much more personal feeling — my love for Greg and for our foster daughter, Lila.”

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.